Data recording device and camera with data imaging device

ABSTRACT

In an optical data recording device, an LCD panel, an aperture stop and a projection lens are arranged in this order from the object side, and a center of the LCD panel is displaced from an optical axis of the projection lens in a direction away from an optical axis of an taking lens, so an image of data displayed on the LCD panel is projected on a photo filmstrip at a position that is shifted from the projection lens optical axis toward the taking lens optical axis. Where the photo filmstrip is curved along its lengthwise direction for compensating for a curvature of field of the taking lens, the LCD panel is inclined to a perpendicular plane to the projection lens optical axis, so an image surface of the LCD panel is formed on the photo filmstrip parallel with its curve.

FIELD OF THE ART

The present invention relates to an optical data recording device forrecording data, such as date, optically in a photographed frame on aphoto filmstrip, and a camera with the optical data recording device,wherein the camera includes a lens-fitted photo film unit that does notallow the user to load a filmstrip.

BACKGROUND ARTS

A camera comprising an optical data recording device for opticallyrecording date data, like the date and time of photography, on afilmstrip has been known. It is desirable to introduce the optical datarecording device into a lens-fitted photo film unit, hereinafterreferred to as a film unit, wherein an unexposed photo filmstrip ispreviously loaded in a unit body that has simple photographic mechanismsincorporated therein. In one type of the optical data recording device,data is recorded from a front or emulsion side of the photo filmstrip.In another type of the optical data recording device, data is recordedfrom a rear or base side of the photo filmstrip. In either type, thedate data is ordinary recorded in a position slightly displaced from acorner toward a center.

In the type where data is recorded from the rear side of the photofilmstrip, a display panel, e.g. an LCD panel, that displays data torecord, e.g. the date of photography, as transparent characters isplaced in proximity to the rear side of the photo filmstrip. The displaypanel is illuminated from the rear side in synchronism with activationof a shutter, so light travelling through the display panel is directlyused for recording data in the photographed frame. Another kind of thistype uses a display panel that is constituted of light emitting diodesor the like, to record data in the photographed frame by projectinglight directly from the light emitting diodes. This type does not needany optical system for forming an image of the displayed content on thedisplay panel onto the photo filmstrip.

However, because the optical data recording device of this typecomprises the display panel and the lamp for illuminating the displaypanel, and must be provided on a rear lid of the camera or on a rearcover of the film unit, it has a disadvantage of making the camera orthe film unit thicker. Beside that, for synchronizing the data recordingwith the photographing, it is necessary to interconnect the optical datarecording device with those circuits and mechanisms which are located onthe front side of the photo filmstrip, though the optical data recordingdevice is located on the rear side of the photo filmstrip. So the numberof parts is increased, and wiring between these parts needs complicatedmanufacturing processes or increased number of processes, therebyincreasing the cost of manufacture.

On the other hand, in the type where data is recorded from the frontside of the photo filmstrip, an projection lens is placed between thedisplay panel and the emulsion surface of the photo filmstrip, toproject an image of data displayed on the display panel onto the photofilmstrip. Because the projection lens is used, and also a sufficientspace is provided between the display panel and the photo filmstrip byvirtue of the thickness of the camera body, it is possible to record asharp image of the data.

As an optical data recording device of the type where data isphotographed from the front side of the photo filmstrip, there is onethat suggested by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No.9-141249). This data recording device is provided with a shutteraperture for data that is located near a shutter aperture forphotography, through which subject light is conducted to the photofilmstrip, and a display panel and an projection lens are placed beforeand behind the shutter aperture for data. The shutter aperture for datais opened and closed by a data shutter member that is formed integrallywith a shutter blade for the shutter aperture for photography. Accordingto this configuration, it is possible to record data as displayed on thedisplay panel optically onto the photo filmstrip by projecting lighttraveling through the display panel through the projection lens onto thefilmstrip, while the shutter aperture for data is opened in synchronismwith the photography.

Among presently marketed cameras, there are ones that permit designatinga print size at the photography so that photo prints of different aspectratios may be obtained from frames photographed on the same photofilmstrip. One method of designating the print size is actually changingthe exposure area on the photo filmstrip by switching a print sizeswitching member. Another method of designating the print size isoptically recording a corresponding mark to the designated print sizeonto the filmstrip outside the exposure area of a constant size, whereinthe photographed frame is trimmed for printing. To record date dataoptically at a proper position for the designated print size, it isnecessary to change the position to project the date data in cooperationwith the change in print size. In the conventional data recordingdevice, data display position on the display panel is shifted relativeto the projection lens, or a switching mirror is provided between theprojection lens and the photo filmstrip to adjust the projectingposition by changing the angle of the switching mirror. However, theseswitching mechanisms for the optical data recording device are socomplicated and requires so much mounting space and accuracy that it hasbeen hard to turn them to practical use.

In the Advanced Photo System (APS) that has recently been put intopractice and marketed, the photo filmstrip and the camera permitproducing photo prints of different aspect ratios from that of astandard size frame, though all frames are photographed in the standardsize, by recording magnetic data for each individual frame to designatean aspect ratio of photo prints on a transparent magnetic recordinglayer that is formed on the base side of the filmstrip. In the APS, astandard exposure area or standard size frame on the photo filmstrip hasthe same aspect ratio as a hi-vision (H) size photo print (89×158 mm),so a conventional (C) size photo print (89×127 mm) is produced from aphotograph area that is obtained by restricting the standard size framefrom left and right, i.e. in a lengthwise direction of the frame,whereas a panoramic (P) size photo print (89×254 mm) is produced from aphotograph area that is obtained by restricting the standard size framefrom top and bottom, i.e. in a widthwise direction of the frame. It isto be noted that the lengthwise direction of the frame is identical tothe lengthwise direction of the filmstrip.

The camera of the APS may also records data such as the date ofphotography magnetically on the magnetic recording layer of the photofilmstrip, so the data may be read out on the printing to print the dataat a designated position on a photo print. For the magnetic recording,however, a magnetic head and a circuit for driving and controlling themagnetic head are needed. These elements are so expensive that it ispractically impossible to introduce the magnetic recording function tolow-price cameras or the film units.

In the APS, insofar as the exposure area through the taking lens isfixed to be the standard frame size, it is possible to select any one ofthe print sizes: H, P and C sizes, after the photography, for example atthe time of ordering photo prints, even though the pictures arephotographed through such a camera or a film unit that does not permitswitching the print size at the photography, e.g. those specific to theC size. For the sake of printing the data, such as the date ofphotography, within the photo print even when the C size print isdesignated, it is necessary to optically record the data within thecorresponding area to the C size, called C size frame area, of thestandard frame.

As described above, the left and right margins of the C size frame areais located closer to an optical axis of the taking lens, in comparisonwith the left and right margins of the standard frame or H size framearea. Therefore, in order to record the data within the C size framearea by use of the optical data recording device where the data isrecorded by the light projected from the front side of the photofilmstrip through the projection lens and the data shutter aperture, itis necessary to put the projection lens closer to the center of theframe, because the center of the recorded data is put on the opticalaxis of the projection lens. In that case, since the taking lens isdesigned to expose the H size frame area, the projection lens, a lensholder for the projection lens or other member would shade a marginalportion of the H size frame area from the light from the taking lens.

If the data shutter aperture is placed closer to the shutter aperturefor photography so as not block the subject light path, it would arise aproblem that the data shutter member on the way to opening and closingthe data shutter aperture would move in front of the shutter aperturefor photography, so the photographed subject image would have unevenlyexposed portions.

Meanwhile, since the low-price cameras and the film units use a simpleand cheap taking lens, some of those hold the photo filmstrip behind thetaking lens such that the filmstrip is curved with its concave orientedto the taking lens in correspondence with the curvature of field of thetaking lens, in order to correct the curvature of field forphotographing a subject image.

If the above method of recording data from the front of the photofilmstrip is introduced into the camera or the film unit thatcompensates for the image distortion by curving the photo filmstrip, animage of the display panel, i.e. optically recorded data, would bepartly blurred unless an image surface of the display panel that isformed through the projection lens is aligned with the curved surface ofthe photo filmstrip.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is toprovide an optical data recording device that records data, such asdate, inside a photographed frame, by projecting light from the front ofthe photo film, and makes it possible to locate the data recordingposition closer to the optical axis of the taking lens without blockingthe light path from the taking lens.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical datarecording device that is simple in construction and can change the datarecording position on the filmstrip.

The present invention further has an object to provide a camera with anoptical data recording device that is simple in construction, cooperateswith a print size switching operation and changes the data recordingposition on the filmstrip in accordance with the selected print size,wherein the camera includes not only those allowing the user to load thefilm, but also the film unit.

To achieve the above objects, in an optical data recording device forrecording data, as displayed on a display panel, optically in aphotographic frame on a photo filmstrip through a projection lens,wherein the photographic frame has an image of a subject photographedtherein through a taking lens, the present invention is in that thedisplay panel and the projection lens are located on the side of thetaking lens relative to the photo filmstrip, and that a center of thedisplay panel is displaced from an optical axis of the projection lensin a direction away from an optical axis of the taking lens, such thatthe data on the display panel is projected onto the photo filmstrip tobe recorded at a position that is shifted from the projection lensoptical axis toward the taking lens optical axis.

According to the optical data recording device of the present invention,the data is optically recorded at a closer position to the taking lensoptical axis without the need for placing the projection lens closer tothe taking lens optical axis, even where the data is projected from thefront of the photo filmstrip. Therefore, if the H size photo print orthe C size photo print is selected, it is possible to record thephotographic date in the photo print, while preventing the subject lightfor recording the subject image from being blocked by the projectionlens or other elements.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a stop isprovided between the display panel and the projection lens, such thatthe following condition is satisfied:

1>d/f≧0.3|R 1 |>|R 2|×3

wherein f represents the focal length of the projection lens, drepresents a distance from the stop to an image side surface of theprojection lens, R1 represents a radius of curvature of a surface of theprojection lens on the side of the display panel, and R2 represents aradius of curvature of the image side surface of the projection lens.

Adjusting a relationship between the focal length of the projection lensand the distance from the stop to the image side surface of theprojection, and a relationship between the respective radiuses ofcurvature of the opposite surfaces of the projection lens in the aboveranges makes it possible to form the image of the display panel, i.e.the data, adequately on the photo filmstrip.

Furthermore, it is possible to improve compactness while keeping goodquality of the image of the display panel formed through the projectionlens, by defining an angle θ of a line that extends from a farther edgeof the display panel from the projection lens optical axis to a centerof the stop, relative to the projection lens optical axis, to satisfythe following condition:

0<θ<0.55

wherein the angle θ is given by an equation θ=TAN⁻¹ {(Q+L/2)/S},assuming that S represents a distance from the display panel to thestop, L represents a longer side length of the display panel, and Qrepresents an amount of displacement of the center of the display panelfrom the optical axis of the projection lens.

Assuming that F1 represents the f-number of the taking lens, and F2represents the f-number of the image forming lens, the f-numberspreferably satisfy the following condition:

log₂ (F 2)≦log₂ (F 1).

In this way, the exposure level through the projection lens is sethigher in comparison with exposure conditions of the taking lens. Thismakes it possible to record the data or the image of the display panelon the photo filmstrip at a sufficient exposure amount even with theambient light.

Where the data is to be recorded on the photo filmstrip that is held ina curved posture, the display panel is incline to a perpendicular planeto the projection lens optical axis, such that the image surface of thedisplay panel is formed on the photo filmstrip in parallel with itscurve. Therefore, the data is recorded entirely good focusing conditionon the photo filmstrip.

Where the data is to be recorded on the photo filmstrip that is held ina curved posture, it is possible to incline the projection lens opticalaxis to the taking lens optical axis for forming the image surface ofthe display panel on the photo filmstrip in parallel with its curve.Then, it becomes possible to set the display panel substantiallyparallel to the perpendicular plane to the taking lens optical axis. Forinstance, since the display panel may be set parallel to an externalcovering surface of a camera that is approximately parallel to thisperpendicular surface, this configuration contributes to reducinguseless space.

By holding the projection lens to be able to rotate about a rotarycenter that is displaced from its optical axis, data recording positionmay be relocated with economical and simple constitutions. By causingthe projection lens for the data recording to rotate in cooperation withthe print size switching operation mechanism, the data may be recordedat the position suitable for the selected print size. Moreover, wherethe photo filmstrip is held curved in the exposure position, the lightpath length adjusting plate for adjusting the light path length isinserted into between the display panel and the projection lens incooperation with the projection lens being rotated, so the data may berecorded in proper focus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a unit bodyof a film unit having an optical data recording device integratedtherein, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration ofthe unit body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exposure unit including theoptical data recording device;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a contour of a light convergingpanel;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the exposure unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationshipbetween a shutter aperture, a data shutter aperture and an LCD panel, asviewed from the front;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating positions of a light pathof an projection lens and the LCD panel relative to a light path of ataking lens;

FIGS. 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26 are diagrams illustrating light pathsof first to seventh examples of projection lenses for use in the opticaldata recording device of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 and 27 are diagrams illustrating variousaberrations of the projection lenses of the first to seventh examples,including spherical aberration, astigmatism and distortion;

FIGS. 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25 and 28 are diagrams illustrating comaaberration of the projection lenses of the first to seventh examples;

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram illustrating positions of a light pathof a projection lens and an LCD panel relative to a light path of ataking lens, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram illustrating positions of a light pathof a projection lens and an LCD panel relative to a light path of ataking lens, according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationshipbetween a shutter aperture, a data shutter aperture and an LCD panel, asviewed from the front;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a unit bodyof a film unit having an optical data recording device integratedtherein, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configurationof the unit body of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configurationof a front cover of the unit body of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of an exposure unit includingthe optical data recording device;

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of essential parts of the film unit of FIG.32, illustrating a position of the optical data recording device wherethe date data is recorded at a date recording position for the H or Psize;

FIGS. 37A and 37B are explanatory diagrams respectively illustrating aview field switching plate and the optical data recording device in a Psize position;

FIGS. 38A and 38B are explanatory diagrams respectively illustrating theview field switching plate and the optical data recording device in an Hsize position;

FIGS. 39A and 39B are explanatory diagrams respectively illustrating theview field switching plate and the optical data recording device in a Csize position;

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram illustrating date recording positionsfor the respective sizes on a photographic frame, provided by theoptical data recording device according to the fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 41 is a sectional view of essential parts of the film unit of FIG.32, illustrating a position of the optical data recording device wherethe date data is recorded at a date recording position for the C size.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A film unit shown in FIG. 1 is not provided with a print sizedesignating device, but photographs every picture in the entire area ofthe standard frame that has the same aspect ratio as an H size photoprint. Instead, it is possible to produce H size photo prints as well asC size photo prints by ordering appropriate frames to be printed in theH size.

On a front side of an unit body 10 are provided a taking lens 11, afinder objective window 13, a flash projector 14, a charge operationknob 15 for turning ON and OFF charging for the flash, and a lightconverging panel 16. On a top side of the unit body 10 are provided ashutter button 17, a counter window for indicating the number of framesavailable for exposure, and an opening 20 allowing a light guide 19 toprotrude through it, for indicating completion of flash charging. From aback side of the unit body 10 is protruded a winding wheel 21 that ismanually rotated after each exposure. Also a finder eyepiece window 22is provided on the back side in opposition to the objective window 13,as shown in FIG. 2.

The unit body 10 is constituted of a body basic portion 25, an exposureunit 26, a flash unit 27, a front cover 28, a rear cover 29, an IX240type photo film cartridge of the Advanced Photo System, and a datemodule 31 that is a member of an optical data recording device.

The body basic portion 25 is integrally formed with a cartridge chamber33 for holding a cartridge shell 30 a of the photo film cartridge 30 anda film roll chamber 34 for holding a roll of unexposed photo filmstrip30 b that is pulled out from the cartridge shell 30 a. The winding wheel21 is pivotally disposed atop the cartridge chamber 33. The windingwheel 21 has a shaft formed integrally on a bottom side thereof, and theshaft is engaged in an end of a spool 35 of the cartridge shell 30 a asit is held in the cartridge chamber 33. Thus, the photo filmstrip 30 bafter exposure is wound up into the cartridge shell 30 a by rotating thewinding wheel 21 in a counterclockwise direction in the drawings.

Between the cartridge chamber 33 and the film roll chamber 34 is formedan aperture 36 defining an exposure range on the photo filmstrip 30 bthat is exposed to a subject light from the taking lens 11. The aperture36 is surrounded by a light-shielding barrel 37 that protrudes forward.The aperture 36 defines the exposure range to be a standard frame size(16.7×30.2 mm) that is equal in aspect ratio to the H size photo prints.

The exposure unit 26 is constituted of a shutter mechanism, a filmwinding lock mechanism, a finder optical system 12 and other mechanisms,which are integrated in a base portion 38 that doubles as alight-shielding box. A shutter cover 39 is mounted on a front side ofthe base portion 38, and the taking lens 11 is held by a lens holder 40that is mounted on a front side of the shutter cover 39. The exposureunit 26 is attached to the body basic portion 25 by mounting the baseportion 38 on the light-shielding barrel 37. Thereby, the base portion38 and the light-shielding barrel 37 shield a space between the takinglens 11 and the aperture 36 from light. Also the date module 31 ismounted to the exposure unit 26 through a module holding plate 41.

The flash unit 27 is constituted of a flash circuit board 42, the flashprojector 14 mounted to the flash circuit board 42, a main capacitor 43,a synchronized trigger switch 44, a battery 45 and so forth. When thecharge operation knob 15 is slid upward, a projection formed on a backside of the charge operation knob 15 resiliently bends a metal blade 46a into contact with a contact member 46 b, thereby turning on a chargeswitch to start charging the main capacitor 43.

The front cover 28 is formed with openings 28 a to 28 c for exposing thetaking lens 11, the flash projector 14 and the charge operation knob 15,besides the shutter button 17 and the finder objective window 13. Thelight converging panel 16 is fitted in an opening 28 d that is formedbeside the opening 28 a for the taking lens 11. The front cover 28 ismounted to the front side of the body basic portion 25 after it isattached with the exposure unit 26, the flash unit 27 and the datemodule 31.

The rear cover 29 covers the rear side of the body basic portion 25after the cartridge shell 30 a and the photo filmstrip 30 b are loadedin the cartridge chamber 33 and the film roll chamber 34. Bottom lids 29a and 29 b are formed on a bottom side of the rear cover 29, to closebottoms of the cartridge chamber 33 and the film roll chamber 34 in alight-tight fashion.

The rear cover 29 has a film supporting surface 29 c in a portion facingthe aperture 36. The film supporting surface 29 c curves along anadvancing direction of the photo filmstrip 30 b, to be recessed rearwardaround an optical axis 11 a of the taking lensll. Guide rails formedalong top and bottom margins of the aperture 36 are curved to protruderearward complementary to the film supporting surface 29 c. According tothis configuration, a portion of the photo filmstrip 30 b placed behindthe aperture 36 is held to be curved along the advancing direction withits concave surface oriented toward the taking lens 11, thereby tocancel an image distortion through the taking lens 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the date module 31 is constituted of electronicelements mounted on a module substrate, including a crystal oscillator,a clock circuit, an LCD driver, a preset switch, and an LCD panel 50, amodule battery 51, and a module case 52. The module substrate is mountedin the module case 52. The module battery 51 is held between a pair ofcontact strips 54 that are placed on front and back sides of the modulecase 52, and supplies power to the respective circuits in the modulecase 52 through these contact strips 54.

The clock circuit memorizes calendar data for several years, generates aclock signal of a constant cycle by use of the crystal oscillator, andcounts time and date on the basis of this clock signal, to produce datedata representative of a present date. The date data of the clockcircuit is set to an initial value by use of the preset switch duringthe manufacture. The LCD driver drives the LCD panel 50 on the basis ofthe date data, so the LCD panel 50 displays data to photograph on thephoto filmstrip 30 b, i.e. the present date (“year, month, day”). Themodule battery 51 is a button cell, but it can drive the circuits of themodule for years because the circuits are designed to consume so little.

The LCD panel 50 is exposed through holes formed on the front and backsides of the module case 52. The LCD panel 50 faces through the frontside hole to an illuminating section 16 a of the light converging panel16 that is integrated into the front cover 28, so the LCD panel 50 isilluminated by the illuminating section 16 a. The LCD panel 50 is of alight permeable type that displays transparent characters indicating adate, e.g. “98, 11, 03”, or the like in an opaque background. Therefore,light projected from the illuminating section 16 a and passing throughthe LCD panel 50 is projected from the back side hole of the module case52, for use as a date light for recording the date data.

The date module 31 is mounted to the module holding plate 41. The moduleholding plate 41 has ridges 41 a and 41 b and a fastening hook 41 cformed on its front. The date module 31 is positioned on the moduleholding plate 41 by the ridges 41 a and 41 b, and is secured by thefastening hook 41 c. A supporting portion 41 d of the module holdingplate 41 is for supporting a rear end of the charge operation knob 15.

The module holding plate 41 is also formed with a cutout 55 whose shapeis complementary to a right side portion 39 a of the shutter cover 39.By fitting the cutout 55 onto the right side portion 39 a and insertinga positioning pin 56 on the exposure unit 26 into a hole 57 that isformed through the module holding plate 41, the module holding plate 41is positioned on the exposure unit 26 in alignment with the shuttercover 39. Thereafter, the module holding plate 41 is secured to theexposure unit 26 through not-shown hooks or the like.

Where the module holding plate 41 is mounted to the exposure unit 26 inthe way as above, the LCD panel 50 of the date module 31 is opposedthrough the cutout 55 to an opening 58 that is formed through the rightside portion 39 a of the shutter cover 39. The module case 52 is cut outat its left side into a shape that is complementary to a contour of thelens holder 40 for the taking lens 11, so that the module case 52 doesnot protrude forward from the lens holder 40 when it is mounted to theexposure unit 26.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light converging panel 16 is formed from atransparent plastic resin, and has the illuminating section 16 a on itsback side 16 b. The illuminating section 16 a is shaped into a groovewith a V-shaped section. Ambient light falling on an obverse surface 16c of the light converging panel 16 that is exposed on the front of theunit body 10, comes to the illuminating section 16 a after beingrepeatedly reflected inside the light converging panel 16. Then, thelight is projected from the illuminating section 16 a to the rear side.In this way, the ambient light falling on the wide obverse surface 16 cof the light converging panel 16 is converged and projected from theilluminating section 16 a, so the LCD panel 50 opposed to theilluminating section 16 a is illuminated with a greater brightness. Itis to be noted that the shape of the illuminating section 16 a is notlimited to this embodiment.

The light converging plate 16 is placed almost parallel to aperpendicular plane to the optical axis 11 a that travels through thecenter of the taking lens 11. The date module 31 is placed almostparallel to the front side of the light converging panel 16 and thefront cover 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, a shutter blade 47 is placed between the front ofthe base portion 38 and the shutter cover 39, so as to be pivotal aboutan axle 60. The shutter blade 47 is urged by a spring 61 to a positionclosing a photographic shutter opening 62. The photographic shutteropening 62 is located at a front center of the base portion 38, i.e. onthe photographic optical axis 11 a. The shutter blade 47 is kicked atits top end 47 b by a kicking lever 63 that moves to the right in thedrawings in cooperation with a shutter release operation. Then, theshutter blade 47 rotates about the axle 60 in a clockwise direction and,thereafter, rotates in the counterclockwise direction because of thespring 61. With this reciprocating swing of the shutter blade 47, thephotographic shutter opening 62 is opened and closed. The subject lightthat passes through the taking lens 11goes into the base portion 38through the photographic shutter opening 62 while the photographicshutter opening 62 is opened, and thus exposes the photo filmstrip 30 bplaced behind the aperture 36. When the shutter blade 47 fully opens thephotographic shutter opening 62, a pressing tip 47 a turns on thesynchronized trigger switch 44 of the flash unit 27. Upon thesynchronized trigger switch 44 being turned on, he flash projector 14projects a flash light.

A data shutter opening 65 is formed through the base portion 38 on anupper right side of the photographic shutter opening 62 in face with theopening 58 of the shutter cover 39. On the other hand, an arm 66 aprotrudes to an upper right direction from the shutter blade 47, and adata shutter member 66 is formed integrally on an end of the arm 66 a.The data shutter member 66 opens and closes the data shutter opening 65in cooperation with the swing of the shutter blade 47.

An projection lens 68 is located behind the data shutter opening 65inside the base portion 38, through which the date data displayed on theLCD panel 50 is projected and focused on the photo filmstrip 30 b. Theprojection lens 68 is secured to the base portion 38 through a securingring 69.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a section of the exposure unit 26 taken alongthe film advancing direction as indicated by an arrow, i.e. thelengthwise direction of the photographic frame. The taking lens 11 isheld by the lens holder 40 at a predetermined position on the shuttercover 39, while a flare stop 70 for preventing flares is disposed on theside of the photo filmstrip 30 b. An aperture stop 71 is formed throughthe shutter cover 39 at a position on the optical axis 11 a, so theshutter blade 47 opens and closes the photographic shutter opening 62behind the aperture stop 71.

The subject light passing through the taking lens 11 goes into theaperture stop 71 through the flare stop 70, so the amount of light isrestricted through the aperture stop 71. The subject light from theaperture stop 71 goes into the base portion 38 through the photographicshutter opening 62 while the shutter blade 47 opens it. Then, the entirearea of the standard frame on the photo filmstrip 30 b as bounded by theaperture 36 is exposed to the subject light. At that time, those portionof the subject light which are directed from the aperture stop 71 toperipheral portions of the standard frame in its lengthwise direction,i.e. the left and right portions in the drawing, travel along opticalpaths as indicated by 73 in the drawings.

In this example, the projection lens 68 is fitted in a lens holder 75that is formed integrally with a flare preventing frame 74, and issecured by the securing ring 69. The flare preventing frame has arectangular opening and is mounted to an inner wall of the base portion38. The projection lens 68 is arranged such that its optical axis 68 atravels through a position that is slightly shifted toward thephotographic optical axis 11 a from a center of the data shutter opening65. The projection lens 68, the lens holder 75 therefor, and thesecuring ring 69 are arranged so as not to interfere with the opticalpaths 73. An aperture stop 76 is formed integrally with the lens holder75 in front of the projection lens 68. In this way, the light convergingpanel 16, the date module 31, the data shutter opening 65, the aperturestop 76 and the projection lens 68 constitute the optical data recordingdevice.

The date light that passes through the LCD panel 50 goes into the baseportion 38 through the opening 58 and the data shutter opening 65 whilethe data shutter member 66 opens the data shutter opening 65.Thereafter, the date light falls on the projection lens 68 through theaperture stop 76, and is projected onto the photo filmstrip 30 b throughthe projection lens 68. The center of the LCD panel 50 is shifted fromthe optical axis 68 a of the projection lens 68 to remove away from thephotographic optical axis 11 a in the lengthwise direction of thephotographic frame. Accordingly, an image of the date data displayed onthe LCD panel 50 is formed in a position on the photo filmstrip 30 bthat is shifted from the optical axis 68 a of the projection lens 68toward the photographic optical axis 11 a in the lengthwise direction ofthe photographic frame. Although the LCD panel 50 is actually largerthan the opening of the module case 52, a display area exposed throughthe opening is referred to as the LCD panel 50 in the above definition,so is the center of the display area referred to as the center of theLCD panel 50. In the following description, “margins of the LCD panel50” imply margins of the display area exposed through the opening. Thedate data is displayed at a fixed position in the display area. That is,the display position is unchanged.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a relationship between the respective partsand the recording position of the date data, viewed from the side of thetaking lens 11. In the drawings, designated by 80 and 81 are thestandard frame and the C size frame area respectively. The center of theLCD panel 50 is shifted from the center of the data shutter opening 65away from the photographic optical axis 11 a, indeed the center of thedata shutter opening 65 is also shifted from the optical axis 68 a ofthe projection lens 68 to remove away from the photographic optical axis11 a in the lengthwise direction of the photographic frame. The shiftamount of the center of the LCD panel 50 from the optical axis 68 a ofthe projection lens 68 is determined such that the date data is recordedin the C size frame area whose longer side length is shorter than thatof the standard frame on the left and right sides.

Arranging the LCD panel 50, the data shutter opening 65 and theprojection lens 68 in this positional relationship allows to record thedate data optically in the C size frame area while preventing theprojection lens 68 as well as the lens holder 75 and the securing ring69 for the projection lens 68 from blocking the subject light even inthe peripheral zone of the standard frame. In this embodiment, the datedata is recorded at a date recording position 82 that is closer to thephotographic optical axis 11 a than the data shutter opening 65 in thelengthwise direction of the photographic frame, and is located at anupper right position of the C size frame area. It is to be noted thatthe position and the size of the data shutter opening 65 and those ofthe opening 58 formed through the shutter cover 39 are adjusted suchthat the date light falls in the aperture stop without being eclipsed.

Shifting the data shutter opening 65 away from the photographic opticalaxis 11 a in the lengthwise direction of the photographic frame in theway as described above also prevents the data shutter member 66 and thearm 66 a from passing by the front of the photographic shutter opening62 while they are moving between a position shown by solid lines and aposition shown by phantom lines in cooperation with the shutter blade47. More specifically, by adjusting the positions of the projection lens68 and the LCD panel 50, the data shutter opening 65 is located outsidea circle whose radius LR is identical to a distance from the center ofthe axle 60 to the farthest corner of the photographic shutter opening62, so that the data shutter member 66 and the arm 66 a will swing aboutthe axle 60 with larger radiuses than the radius LR. In this way, thedata shutter member 66 and the arm 66 a would not pass by the front ofthe photographic shutter opening 62, solving the problem of unevenexposure condition of the photographed subject image.

Since the data shutter member 66 swings with the larger radius than theshutter blade 47, the data shutter member 66 opens the data shutteropening 65 for a longer time than the shutter blade 47 opens thephotographic shutter opening 62. Therefore, though the LCD panel 50 isilluminated by ambient light collected through the light convergingpanel 16, a sufficient amount of date light for recording the date datasharply will reach the film surface.

FIG. 7 shows the layout of the optical data recording device of FIG. 5in a simplified style. The layout shown in FIG. 7 is that viewed fromthe upside of the film unit. The reference number 85 shows an imagesurface of the LCD panel 50 through the projection lens 68. In thisembodiment, the optical axis 68 a of the projection lens 68 is arrangedparallel to the photographic optical axis 11 a, whereas the LCD panel 50is arranged almost parallel to a perpendicular plane 11 b to thephotographic optical axis 11 a. In the optical data recording device, asdescribed above, the LCD panel 50, the aperture stop 76 and theprojection lens 68 are arranged in this order from the objective side.Therefore, the principal point of the projection lens 68 is shifted tothe image side from the center of the lens, resulting in increasing thedistance from the projection lens 68 to the image surface. Thus, theimage may be formed more sharply.

Assuming that the focal length of the projection lens 68 is “f”, thedistance from the aperture stop 76 to the image side surface of theprojection lens 68 is “d”, the radius of curvature of the projectionlens 68 on the side of the LCD panel 50 is “R1”, and that on the imageside is “R2”, the relationship between the distance d and the focallength f, and that between the radiuses of curvature R1 and R2 satisfythe following conditions (1) and (2):

1>d/f≧0.3  (1)

|R 1|>|R 2|×3  (2)

The condition (1) is for balancing the external diameter of theprojection lens 68 with the performance thereof by limiting the distancefrom the aperture stop 76 to the image side surface of the projectionlens 68. For example, where the value “d/f” is above the upper limit ofthe condition (1), the external diameter of the projection lens 68 is solarge that it is hard to avoid blocking the light from the photographicoptical system, i.e. from the taking lens 11. On the other hand, wherethe value “d/f” is below the lower limit, aberrations become so largethat the image quality lowers remarkably in the peripheral area underthe conditions of the present invention, so that it comes to beimpossible to form the image of the LCD panel 50 with uniformly goodquality.

On the other hand, the condition (2) is for limiting the radiuses ofcurvatures R1 and R2 of the opposite surfaces of the projection lens 68,for the sake of providing the projection lens 68 with adequateperformance within the range of the condition (1). If the condition (2)is not satisfied, the performance of the projection lens 68 in thevicinity of the optical axis is unbalanced with that outside the axis.

Furthermore, an angle θ of a line, which extends from a farther edge ofthe LCD panel 50 from the optical axis 68 a of the projection lens 68 toa center of the aperture stop 76, to the optical axis 68 a is determinedto satisfy the following condition (3):

0<θ<0.55  (3)

The angle θ is given by an equation θ=TAN⁻¹ {(Q +L/2)/S}, wherein Srepresents the distance from the LCD panel 50 to the aperture stop 76, Lrepresents the longer side length of the LCD panel 50, and Q representsthe shift amount of the center of the LCD panel 50 from the optical axis68 a of the projection lens 68.

With the increase in the angle θ, i.e. the angle of the date light fromthe edge of the LCD panel 50 to the aperture stop 76 increases, aneclipse is more likely to occur at the aperture stop 76. Therefore, asthe angle θ increases, variations in the amounts of light beams that areprojected from the respective portions of the LCD panel 50 and passthrough the aperture stop 76 get larger, and thus unevenness in theexposure of the image of the LCD panel 50 is more likely to occur. Ifthe condition (3) is satisfied, unevenness in the exposure is reduced.

The smaller the angle θ, the effect of reducing the uneven exposurebecomes the larger, but the distance from the LCD panel 50 to the imagesurface must be elongated. Then, the optical data recording device isdifficult to made compact, so is the film unit having the optical datarecording device. For this reason, the angle θ should be defined so asto balance the problem of uneven exposure with the compactness of theoptical data recording device and thus the film unit. For example, theangle θ preferably satisfy the condition 0.35<θ<0.55.

Assuming that F1 represents the f-number of the taking lens 11, and F2represents the f-number of the projection lens, the f-numbers satisfythe following condition (4):

log₂(F 2)≦log₂(F 1)  (4)

The condition (4) defines a relationship between the exposure amount tothe subject light through the taking lens 11, and the exposure amount tothe date light through the projection lens 68. By setting the exposurelevel through the projection lens 68 equal to or higher than thatthrough the taking lens 11, reduction of the light amount through theLCD panel 50 is compensated, so ambient light may be utilized forilluminating the LCD panel 50.

It is preferable to give the condition (4) as log₂(F 2)<log₂(F1)−0.15,to set the exposure level through the projection lens 68 higher than theexposure level through the taking lens 11. Although the f-numbers aredefined in this way on the promise that the ambient light is used forilluminating the LCD panel 50, it is alternatively possible to use LEDsor the like as the light source at a higher cost. In that case, thef-number of the projection lens is not to be limited to the abovecondition, but a lens with a large f-number, i.e. a darker lens, is usedas the projection lens. Since the darker lens has the larger depth offield, the LCD panel may be less inclined relative to the optical axisof the projection lens.

Now the operation of the above described configuration will be brieflydescribed.

In response to the shutter button 17 being pressed, the kicking lever 63of the shutter mechanism kicks the top tip 47 b of the shutter blade 47.The kicked 47 rotates about the axle 60 against the force of the spring61, in the clockwise direction in FIG. 6. After opening up thephotographic shutter opening 62, the shutter blade 47 rotates in thecounterclockwise direction according to the force of the spring 61, toreturn to the closed position. During this opening and closingoperation, the photographic shutter opening 62 lets the subject lightfrom the taking lens 11 and 71 into the base portion 38. The subjectlight then travels through the opening of the flare preventing frame 74and falls on the photo filmstrip 30 b that is placed behind the aperture36. Because the projection lens 68, the securing ring 69 and the lensholder 75 are located outside the peripheral optical paths 73 of thesubject light, the subject light is not interfered, so a latent image ofthe subject is formed in the entire area of the standard frame 80.

With the swing of the shutter blade 47, the data shutter member 66 asintegrated with the shutter blade 47 swings about the axle 60 to openand close the data shutter opening 65. While the data shutter opening 65is opened and closed by the data shutter member 66, the LCD panel 50 isilluminated by the illuminating section 16 a of the light convergingpanel 16, so the date light provided through the LCD panel 50 isconducted into the base portion 38 through the opening 58 of the shuttercover 39 and the data shutter opening 65. Because the data shuttermember 66 and the arm 66 a do not move in front of the photographicshutter opening 62, the subject image is not unevenly exposed.

The date light entered in the base portion 38 falls on the projectionlens 68 through the aperture stop 76 from a direction that is fartherfrom the photographic optical axis 11 a than the optical axis 68 a ofthe projection lens 68 in the lengthwise direction of the photographicframe, so an image is formed at the date recording position 82 that iscloser to the photographic optical axis 11 a than the optical axis 68 aof the projection lens 68 in the frame lengthwise direction. In thisway, the date data displayed on the LCD panel 50 is recorded on thesubject image at the date recording position 82 that is located at theupper right corner of the C size frame area 81.

For a flash photography, the charge operation knob 15 is slid upwardprior to pressing the shutter button 17. Thereby, voltage from thebattery 45 is boost up, and the main capacitor 43 starts being chargedwith the voltage. When the main capacitor 43 is fully charged, a lamp isturned on to indicate the completion of charging through the light guide19, that is protruded through the opening 20 on the top side of the unitbody as the charge operation knob 15 is slid upward. When the shutterbutton 17 is pressed after this indication is confirmed, the flashprojector 14 projects a flash light toward a subject at the timing whenthe synchronized trigger switch 44 is turned on by the swing of theshutter blade 47. The flash light reflected from the subject also fallson the light converging panel 16, so the date light is produced from theflash light, and is projected onto the photo filmstrip 30 b.Accordingly, the date data is recorded at the flash photography withoutfail even in the darkness.

By repeating the photography in this way, each subject image isphotographed in the entire area of the standard frame 80, whereas thedate data is recorded in the C size frame area 81.

After the last frame is photographed, the exposed photo filmstrip 30 bis entirely wound up into the cartridge shell 30 a by the film windingoperation. The exposed film unit is forwarded to a photofinisher, todevelop the exposed photo filmstrip 30 b. The developed photo filmstrip30 b is set in a printer-processor, to produce photo prints. If the sizeof the photo prints is not designated, C size photo prints are producedfrom the C size frame area 81. Where the H size is designated, H sizephoto prints are produced from the standard frame 80. The produced photoprints and the photo filmstrip 30 b developed and contained in thecartridge shell 30 a are returned to the user. Since the date data isrecorded inside the C size frame area 81, the finished photo prints havethe date data recorded thereon either in the H size ones or in the Csize ones.

Since the optical data recording device of the present embodimentsatisfies the above conditions (1) to (3), the optically recorded datedata suffers little exposure-unevenness and image deterioration. Becausethe data shutter opening 65 is opened earlier than the photographicshutter opening 62, and is closed later than the photographic shutteropening 62, the exposure time is elongated. In addition, since theoptical data recording device satisfies the condition (4), the date datamay be recorded at a sufficient exposure amount on the photo filmstrip30 b.

Next, first to seventh examples of the projection lens 68 for use in theabove date recording device will be described by use of the samereference numbers as used in the above description. In either of thefirst to seventh examples, the focal length of the taking lens 11 is24.8 mm, and the f-number (F1) thereof is “10”, whereas the f-number(F2) of the projection lens 68 is “8.0”. Since log₂ (F1) isapproximately equal to 3.32, and log₂ (F2) is equal to 3, the condition(4) is satisfied.

In either of the first to fifth and seventh examples, the image sidesurface or the second surface of the projection lens 68 is an asphericalsurface that satisfies the following condition, provided that theoptical axis is regarded as the Z axis:

 Z=ch ²/[1+{square root over ( )}{1−(1+K) c ² h² }]+Ah ⁴ +Bh ⁶ +Ch ⁸ +Dh¹⁰

In the formula, c and h represent an inverted number of the radius ofcurvature of the second surface (=1/R2) and a height of light beam fromthe optical axis respectively. Aspherical coefficients K, A, B, C and Dof the respective examples are shown in Tables for the individualexamples.

EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 8 shows a diagram illustrating the optical path of the projectionlens 68 of the first example. The projection lens 68 of the firstexample is configured as follows:

f=5.13 (mm)

F2=8.0

d=2.90 (mm)

wherein f, F2 and d represent the focal length and the f-number of theprojection lens, and the distance from the aperture stop 76 to theprojection lens 68 respectively. The distance S from the LCD panel 50 tothe aperture stop 76, the longer side length of the LCD panel 50, andthe shift amount of the center of the LCD panel 50 from the optical axisof the projection lens 68 are designed as follows:

S=7.63 (mm)

L=3.00 (mm)

Q=2.00 (mm)

The lens data of the projection lens 68 is shown in Table 1.

Among the lens data shown in Tables in the first to seventh examples,numerical values given as distances represent air space between adjacentsurfaces or the thickness of lenses, but the numerical value shown as adistance in the column of surface “2” represents a distance from theimage side surface of the projection lens 68 to a paraxial focus point,whereas the numerical value shown as a distance in the column of theimage surface represents a deviation of an optimum focusing positionfrom the paraxial focus point. This is because the optimum focusingposition deviates from the paraxial focus point if remaining aberrationsof the projection lens are large, especially regarding sphericalaberration. Where the deviation is “zero”, the optimum focusing positioncoincides with the paraxial focus point, so the optical data recordingdevice is arranged such that the photo filmstrip 30 b is placed on theparaxial focus point. However, where the deviation is not “zero”, theoptical data recording device is arranged such that the photo filmstrip30 b is placed on the optimum focusing position. Where the deviationvalue is positive, the optimum focusing position deviates from theparaxial focus point in a direction to remove from the projection lens68. Where the deviation value is negative, the optimum focusing positiondeviates from the paraxial focus point in a direction to close to theprojection lens 68. The radius of curvature R, distance and effectiveaperture are expressed in terms of “mm”.

TABLE 1 RADIUS EFFEC- REFRAC- DIS- OF CUR- DIS- TIVE AP- TIVE PERSIVESURFACE VATURE TANCE ERTURE INDEX POWER DISPLAY 7.63 PANEL STOP 1.44φ1.0 1 63.200 1.46 1.492 57.5 2(*) −2.608 10.47 IMAGE 0 SURFACE

In Table 1, (*) indicates that the surface is aspherical, and theaspherical coefficients K, A, B, C and D are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 K 0 A 0.124744E-01 B −0.729504E-02 C 0.357048E-02 D−0.576013E-03

The characteristic values “d/f” and “θ” of the present invention are:

d/f÷0.57

θ÷0.430

Therefore, the conditions (1) and (3) are satisfied respectively.

The relationship between R1 and R2 is as follows:

|R 1|=63.200

|R 2|×3=7.824

So the condition (2) is satisfied.

Aberrations of the projection lens 68 of the above first example areshown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIGS. 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 and 27 that showthe astigmatism, solid lines represent aberration with respect to thesagittal image surface, whereas dashed lines represent aberration withrespect to the tangential or meridional image surface. In FIGS. 10, 13,16, 19, 22 and 25 that show the coma aberration of the first to sixthexamples, upper edge, middle position and lower edge respectivelyrepresent relative field heights of “1.00”, “0.57” and “0.14”. In FIG.28, upper edge, middle position and lower edge respectively representrelative field heights of “1.00”, “0.57” and “0.18”. All of the shownaberrations are those with respect to the e-line light (546.1 nm).

EXAMPLE 2

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the optical path of the projectionlens 68 configured according to the second example. The respectivevalues for the second example are as follows:

f=5.02 (mm)

F2=8.0

d=3.47 (mm)

S=7.47 (mm)

L=3.00 (mm)

Q=2.00 (mm)

Table 3 shows the lens data of the projection lens 68.

TABLE 3 RADIUS EFFEC- REFRAC- DIS- OF CUR- DIS- TIVE AP- TIVE PERSIVESURFACE VATURE TANCE ERTURE INDEX POWER DISPLAY 7.47 PANEL STOP 0.47φ1.99 1 20.909 3.00 1.492 57.5 2(*) −2.669 10.06 IMAGE 0 SURFACE

In Table 3, (*) represents an aspherical surface, and the asphericalcoefficients K, A, B, C and D are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 K 0 A 0.125885E-01 B −0.736008E-02 C 0.364898E-02 D−0.604595E-03

The characteristic values “d/f” and “θ” of the present invention are:

d/f÷0.69

θ÷0.438

Therefore, the conditions (1) and (3) are satisfied respectively.

The relationship between R1 and R2 is as follows:

|R 1|=20.909

|R 2|×3=8.007

So the condition (2) is satisfied. Aberrations of the projection lens 68of the above second example are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

EXAMPLE 3

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the optical path of the projectionlens 68 configured according to the third example. The respective valuesfor the third example are as set forth below. Aberrations of theprojection lens 68 of the third example are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

f=5.09 (mm)

F2=8.0

d=3.09 (mm)

S=7.56 (mm)

L=3.00 (mm)

Q=2.00 (mm)

Table b 5 shows the lens data of the projection lens 68.

TABLE 5 RADIUS EFFEC- REFRAC- DIS- OF CUR- DIS- TIVE AP- TIVE PERSIVESURFACE VATURE TANCE ERTURE INDEX POWER DISPLAY 7.56 PANEL STOP 1.09φ1.0 1 41.227 2.00 1.492 57.5 2(*) −2.622 10.35 IMAGE 0 SURFACE

In Table 5, (*) represents an aspherical surface, and the asphericalcoefficients are shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 K 0 A 0.125310E-01 B −0.732356E-02 C 0.360207E-02 D−0.586095E-03

The characteristic values “d/f” and “θ” of the present invention are:

d/f÷0.61

θ÷0.434

Therefore, the conditions (1) and (3) are satisfied respectively.

The relationship between R1 and R2 is as follows:

|R 1|=41.227

|R 2|×3=7.866

So the condition (2) is satisfied.

EXAMPLE 4

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the optical path of the projectionlens 68 configured according to the fourth example. The respectivevalues for the fourth example are as set forth below. Aberrations of theprojection lens 68 of the fourth example are shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

f=5.10 (mm)

F2=8.0

d=5.00 (mm)

S=5.85 (mm)

L=3.00 (mm)

Q=2.00 (mm)

Table 7 shows the lens data of the projection lens 68.

TABLE 7 RADIUS EFFEC- REFRAC- DIS- OF CUR- DIS- TIVE AP- TIVE PERSIVESURFACE VATURE TANCE ERTURE INDEX POWER DISPLAY 5.86 PANEL STOP 3.00φ0.77 1 10.937 2.00 1.492 57.5 2(*) −3.059 10.14 IMAGE 9.94 SURFACE

In Table 7, (*) represents an aspherical surface, and the asphericalcoefficients are shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 K 0 A 0.618245E-02 B 0.168492E-03 C −0.209958E-04 D 0.816094E-05

The characteristic values “d/f” and “θ” of the present invention are:

d/f÷0.98

θ÷0.539

Therefore, the conditions (1) and (3) are satisfied respectively.

The relationship between R1 and R2 is as follows:

|R 1=10.937

|R 2×3=9.177

So the condition (2) is satisfied.

EXAMPLE 5

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the optical path of the projectionlens 68 configured according to the fifth example. The respective valuesfor the fifth example are as set forth below. Aberrations of theprojection lens 68 of the fifth example are shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

f=5.16 (mm)

F2=8.0

d=1.60 (mm)

S=8.63 (mm)

L=3.00 (mm)

Q=2.00 (mm)

Table 9 shows the lens data of the projection lens 68.

TABLE 9 RADIUS EFFEC- REFRAC- DIS- OF CUR- DIS- TIVE AP- TIVE PERSIVESURFACE VATURE TANCE ERTURE INDEX POWER DISPLAY 8.63 PANEL STOP 0.65φ1.13 1 −8.379 0.95 1.492 57.5 2(*) −2.029 10.77 IMAGE 0 SURFACE

In Table 9, (*) represents an aspherical surface, and the asphericalcoefficients are shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 K 0 A 0.446014E-01 B −0.880057E-01 C 0.848541E-01 D−0.285857E-01

The characteristic values “d/f” and “θ” of the present invention are:

d/f÷0.31

θ÷0.385

Therefore, the conditions (1) and (3) are satisfied respectively.

The relationship between R1 and R2 is as follows:

|R 1|=8.379

|R 2|×3=6.087

So the condition (2) is satisfied.

EXAMPLE 6

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the optical path of the projectionlens 68 configured according to the sixth example. The respective valuesfor the sixth example are as set forth below. Aberrations of theprojection lens 68 of the sixth example are shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

f=5.44 (mm)

F2=8.0

d=1.74 (mm)

S=9.07 (mm)

L=3.00 (mm)

Q=2.00 (mm)

Table 11 shows the lens data of the projection lens 68.

TABLE 11 RADIUS EFFEC- REFRAC- DIS- OF CUR- DIS- TIVE AP- TIVE PERSIVESURFACE VATURE TANCE ERTURE INDEX POWER DISPLAY 9.07 PANEL STOP 0.78φ1.19 1 −12.620 0.97 1.492 57.5 2 −2.262 11.28 IMAGE −1.09 SURFACE

The characteristic values “d/f” and “θ” of the present invention are:

d/f÷0.32

θ÷0.368

Therefore, the conditions (1) and (3) are satisfied respectively.

The relationship between R1 and R2 is as follows:

|R 1|=12.620

|R 2|×3=6.786

So the condition (2) is satisfied.

EXAMPLE 7

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating the optical path of the projectionlens 68 configured according to the seventh example. The respectivevalues for the seventh example are as set forth below. Aberrations ofthe projection lens 68 of the seventh example are shown in FIGS. 27 and28.

f=6.78 (mm)

F2=8.0

d=4.72 (mm)

S=9.92 (mm)

L=3.00 (mm)

Q=2.15 (mm)

Table 12 shows the lens data of the projection lens 68.

TABLE 12 RADIUS EFFEC- REFRAC- DIS- OF CUR- DIS- TIVE AP- TIVE PERSIVESURFACE VATURE TANCE ERTURE INDEX POWER DISPLAY 9.93 PANEL STOP 1.70φ1.31 1 12.657 3.00 1.492 57.5 2(*) −4.176 13.37 IMAGE 0 SURFACE

In Table 12, (*) represents an aspherical surface, and the asphericalcoefficients are shown in Table 13.

TABLE 13 K −0.261168 A 0.252613E-02 B −0.892276E-04 C 0 D 0

The characteristic values “d/f” and “θ” of the present invention are:

d/f÷0.70

θ÷0.353

Therefore, the conditions (1) and (3) are satisfied respectively.

The relationship between R1 and R2 is as follows:

|R 1|=12.657

|R 2|×3=12.528

So the condition (2) is satisfied.

FIG. 29 schematically shows essential parts of an optical data recordingdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention. Thisembodiment is for forming an image of the LCD panel 50 on the photo filmstrip 30 b with better quality, provided that the photo filmstrip 30 bis curved along the lengthwise direction of the photographic frame withthe center of curvature located on the side of the taking lens, that is,with its concave surface oriented toward the taking lens 11. For thispurpose, an LCD panel 50 is inclined to a perpendicular plane 68 b to anoptical axis 68 a of a projection lens 68, such that the distance fromthe LCD panel 50 to the photo filmstrip 30 b decreases as the distancefrom the photographic optical axis 11 a in the lengthwise direction ofthe photographic frame increases. In this embodiment, the optical axis68 a of the projection lens 68 is parallel to the photographic opticalaxis 11 a of the taking lens 11. The inclination angle of the LCD panel50 is determined such that an image surface 85 of an image formedthrough the projection lens 68 substantially coincides with the curvedsurface of the photo filmstrip 30 b in the date recording position. Inthis way, the date data displayed on the LCD panel 50 may be recorded onthe photo filmstrip 30 b without blurs that would otherwise be provideddue to the curve of the photo filmstrip 30 b.

To record the image of the LCD panel 50 on the photo filmstrip 30 bsharply without aberrations, the projection lens 68 is designed to be anaspherical lens. Thus, the image of the LCD panel 50 is formed on thephoto filmstrip 30 b with very little aberrations. According to thisembodiment, the projection lens 68 is configured for example as follows:

focal length f=5.14 mm

f-number=4.87

projective magnification=1.05

effective f-number=8.0

The lens data of the projection lens 68 is shown in Table 14. Otherconfigurations are equivalent to the first embodiment, so the detail isomitted.

TABLE 14 RADIUS EFFEC- REFRAC- DIS- OF CUR- DIS- TIVE AP- TIVE PERSIVESURFACE VATURE TANCE ERTURE INDEX POWER DISPLAY 8.05 PANEL STOP 1.1φ1.06 1 −19.438 1.2 1.492 57.5 2(*) −2.2285 10.65 IMAGE 0 SURFACE

In Table 14, (*) represents an aspherical surface, and the asphericalcoefficients are shown in Table 15.

TABLE 15 K −0.328946 A 1.62E-02 B −2.03E-02 C 1.25E-02 D −2.76E-03

In the embodiment of FIG. 29, the LCD panel 50 is inclined incorrespondence with the photographic frame of the lengthwise curvedphoto filmstrip, such that the LCD panel 50 approaches the film surfaceas it removes from the photographic optical axis 11 a in the lengthwisedirection of the photographic frame. However, for example where thephoto filmstrip is held to be spherical, it is preferable to incline theLCD panel 50 in the widthwise direction as well as the lengthwisedirection of the photographic frame, so that the image surface is formedalong the curves of the film surface.

FIG. 30 schematically shows essential parts of an optical data recordingdevice according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, where a photo filmstrip 30 b is curved along thelengthwise direction with its center of curvature on the side of thetaking lens, an optical axis 68 a of a projection lens 68 is inclined tothe photographic optical axis 11 a, whereas the LCD panel 50 is inclinedto a perpendicular plane 68 b to the optical axis 68 a of the projectionlens 68 about an axis that extends in the widthwise direction of thefilm, to such a degree that the LCD panel 50 is oriented approximatelyparallel to the perpendicular plane 11 b to the photographic opticalaxis 11 a. Thereby, an image surface 85 of an LCD panel 50 that isformed through the projection lens 68 substantially coincides with thecurved surface of the photo filmstrip 30 b in a date recording position.That is, the projection lens 68 is arranged such that if the opticalaxis 68 a is projected vertically onto a virtual plane that includes thephotographic optical axis 11 a of the taking lens 11 and is parallel tothe film lengthwise direction, hereinafter referred to as a horizontalplane of the photographic optical axis, the optical axis 68 a of theprojection lens 68 would come across the photographic optical axis 11 aon the subject side.

This configuration allows to incline the image surface 85 of the LCDpanel 50 along the curved surface of the photo filmstrip 30 b, whilearranging the LCD panel 50 and thus the date module 31 substantiallyparallel to the light converging panel 16 and thus a front panel of thefront cover 29, because these panels are substantially parallel to theperpendicular plane 11 b to the photographic optical axis 11 a.Arranging the LCD panel 50 substantially in parallel to a rear surfaceof the light converging panel 16 reduces a dead space inside the unitbody 10, and also allows to illuminate the LCD panel 50 uniformly by theilluminating section 16 a of the light converging panel 16, therebyeliminating unevenness in exposure amount for data recording. Otherconfigurations are equivalent to the above embodiments, so the detail isomitted.

The degree of inclination of the image surface 85 of the LCD panel 50may be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle of the LCD panel 50to the perpendicular plane 68 b to the optical axis 68 a and theinclination angle of the optical axis 68 a to the photographic opticalaxis 11 a. The image surface 85 of the LCD panel 50 does not need tocoincide completely with the curve of the photo filmstrip 30 b insofaras it is included in a practically tolerable range provided by a depthof field of the projection lens or the like. In order to arrange the LCDpanel 50 to be approximately parallel to the perpendicular plane 11 b tothe photographic optical axis 11 a, the angle of the optical axis 68 ato the photographic optical axis 11 a is preferably adjusted in a rangethat satisfies the following condition, though the angle depends alsoupon where on the photo filmstrip 30 b the image surface 85 of the LCDpanel 50 is to be formed.

Rc×1.5<La<Rc×4  (5)

wherein “Rc” represents a radius of curvature of the photo filmstrip,“La” represents a length from a cross point of the photographic opticalaxis 11 a with the optical axis 68 a as projected on the abovephotographic optical axis horizontal plane, to a cross point of thephotographic optical axis 11 a with the photo filmstrip 30 b.

This condition is for balancing the degree of parallel of the LCD panel50 to the perpendicular plane 11 b to the photographic optical axis 11a, with the degree of compensation for blurs that are resulted from thecurve.

If the length La is above the upper limit “Rc×4”, the optical axis 68 aget close to be parallel to the photographic optical axis 11 a, so thatthe LCD panel 50 would have to be inclined at a certain angle to thefront panel of the front cover 28 that is substantially parallel to theplane 11 b. If the length La is below the lower limit “Rc×1.5”, theeffect of inclining the image surface 85 of the LCD panel 50 through theprojection lens 68 becomes so great that the image surface would beovercompensated for the curve of the photo filmstrip when the LCD panel50 is maintained substantially parallel to the front panel of the frontcover 28, and that blurs would be provided in the opposite side fromthose provided by the curve.

In this example, the radius of curvature Rc is 80 mm, the inclination ofthe projection lens 68 is 4.5°, and a length from the cross point of thephotographic optical axis 11 a with the photo filmstrip 30 b to a crosspoint of the optical axis 68 a, as projected on the photographic opticalaxis horizontal plane, with the photo filmstrip 30 b is 10.64 mm. Withthese values, the above length La is 135.92 mm, “Rc×1.5” is 120 mm, and“Rc×4” is 320 mm. Therefore, the above condition (5) is satisfied.

The center of the LCD panel 50 is displaced from the optical axis 68 aof the projection lens 68 so as to locate the date recording positioncloser to the photographic optical axis 11 a, in the same as the aboveembodiment. Correspondingly, the center of the aperture stop 76, whichis placed between the LCD panel 50 and the projection lens 68, isdisplaced from the optical axis 68 a in a direction to remove from thephotographic optical axis 11 a in the same way as the LCD panel 50. Thisconfiguration contributes to avoiding an increase in the externaldiameter of the projection lens 68.

Specifically, if the center of the aperture stop is placed on theoptical axis 68 a of the projection lens 68 as implied by phantom lines86, while the center of the LCD panel 50 is displaced from the opticalaxis 68 a, the date light projected from the LCD panel 50 would fallwidely on a peripheral portion of the projection lens 68. Accordingly,the projection lens 68 would need an undesirably large externaldiameter. By displacing the center of the aperture stop 76 from theoptical axis 68 a in the same direction as the center of the LCD panel50 is displaced from the optical axis 68 a, it comes to be possible tolet the date light fall integrally on avicinity of the optical axis 68 aof the projection lens 68. Thus, the projection lens 68 does not need tobe enlarged. In the case where the natural light is used as theillumination light source for the LCD panel 50, the displacement of thecenter of the aperture stop 76 from the optical axis 68 a contributes tosetting the angle of the date light from the center of the LCD panel tothe center of the aperture stop 76 near to the photographic optical axis11 a of the taking lens 11.

This embodiment is applicable to a case where the center of the LCDpanel is placed on the optical axis, in order to form the image of theLCD panel along the curved surface of the photo filmstrip.

Although those cases have been described where the photo filmstrip iscurved such that its section forms a circular arc of a constant radiusof curvature, the present invention is applicable to a case where thephoto filmstrip is curved with its concave surface oriented to thetaking lens, but the section forms a different curve from the circulararc. In that case, a pseudo radius of curvature Rc′ is derived fromrespective cross points of the photographic optical axis and the opticalaxis of the projection lens with the photo filmstrip. For example, asthe pseudo radius of curvature Rc′ is used a length from the cross pointof the photographic optical axis with the photographic filmstrip to across point of a normal line with the photo filmstrip, the normal linebeing normal to a curved surface of the photo filmstrip between thecross point of the photographic optical axis with the photo filmstripand a cross point of the projected optical axis of the projection lenson the above mentioned horizontal plane of the photographic opticalaxis. Then, the length La is determined by substituting Rc′ for Rc inthe above condition (5).

In any of the above embodiments, it is possible to displace the LCDpanel 50 upward or downward from the data shutter opening 65 in thewidthwise or up-down direction of the photographic frame, as shown inFIG. 31, for the sake of adjusting the date recording position 82 in thewidthwise direction of the photographic frame. For example, where thedate is to be recorded at an upper right position of the photographicframe, as shown in the drawings, the date data may be recorded in aframe area that is obtained by trimming top and bottom zones of thestandard frame to correspond to the P size (panoramic) photo print,without the risk of interrupting the subject light for the standardframe with the projection lens or other elements. Accordingly, the dateis recorded on the photo print even when the P size is designated onsuch a film unit that is not provided with a print size designationdevice but allows the user to designate the P size print at the order ofprinting.

As set forth above, the optical data recording devices of the aboveembodiments are applicable not only to such film units that are specificto the C size but allow the user to designate the H size at theprinting, but also to such film units or cameras that are specific tothe H size but allows the user to designate the C size or the P size atthe printing.

FIG. 32 shows an appearance of a film unit incorporated with an opticaldata recording device according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. A unit body 100 of the film unit has a taking lens, a finderobjective window 13, a flash projector 14, a charge operation knob 15, afinder switching knob 97, a data recording opening 98 on its front side.On the top side, there are provided a shutter button 17, a counterwindow 18, an opening 20 for protruding a light guide 19 to outside, forindicating completion of flash charging. On the rear side, as shown inFIG. 33, a film winding knob 21 and a finder eyepiece window 22 areprovided. The unit body 100 is constituted of a body basic portion thatis loaded with a film cartridge 30 and is attached with many kinds ofphotographic mechanisms, an exposure unit 26 attached to a front of thebody basic portion 25, a date module 31 that constitutes an optical datarecording device, a flash unit 27, and front and rear covers 28 and 29that are attached to the body basic portion 25 to cover the front andrearsides thereof. These elements are assembled through snap-inengagement in a removable fashion. Fundamentally equivalent elements tothose used in the above embodiments are designated by the same referencenumbers, so the detail of these elements are omitted.

The unit body 100 shown in FIG. 32 allows to select one of three printsizes: P size, H size and standard size, for each individualphotographed frame at the time of photography. The print size isselected by selecting one of view fields that have corresponding shapesto the above three print sizes by sliding the finder switching knob 97along a slit 99 that is formed through the front of the unit body 100.In cooperation with the view field switching, a different mark isselected to be recorded on photo filmstrip, to produce photo prints inthe designated sizes by making printing process according to the mark.

For this purpose, a mark recording circuit that includes photoelectricelements is mounted on a printed circuit board 42 of the flash unit 27besides a flash circuit, though the detail is not shown for avoidingcomplication.

As shown in FIG. 34, the front cover 28 is constituted of a front covermain body 125, and a front panel 126 that is attached to the front ofthe front cover main body 125. The front cover main body 125 has afinder opening 127 of the same shape as the finder objective window 13that is formed through the front panel 126. The finder opening 127 andthe finder objective window 13 are placed in front of a finder opticalsystem 12 that is integrated in the exposure unit 26. In between thefront cover main body 125 and the front panel 126, a view fieldswitching plate 128, three micro switches 129, 130 and 131, and threegears 132, 133 and 134 are mounted. The three gears 132 to 134 arepivotally mounted in a recess 125 a that is formed on the front of thefront cover main body 125.

The view field switching plate 128 is mounted on the front panel 126 ina rotary fashion by fitting a round center opening 136 of the view fieldswitching plate 128 on a lens barrel 137 that is formed on the front ofthe front cover main body 125. A boss 138 is formed integrally on alower front portion of the view field switching plate 128, and isinserted in the arced slit 99 that is formed through the front panel 126below a lens hood 139. On the boss 138 protruded through the slit 99 isfitted the finder switching knob 97 from the front of the front panel126.

In a peripheral area of the view field switching plate 128 are formed aP size finder frame 140 (aspect ratio: 3.0), an H size finder frame(aspect ratio: 1.8) and a C size finder frame 142 (aspect ratio: 1.5).Thus, either one of the finder frames 140 to 142 is inserted intobetween the finder objective window 13 and the finder opening 127 byoperating the finder switching knob 97 to turn the view field switchingplate 128, and the view field comes to be corresponding to thedesignated print size (see FIGS. 37A, 38A and 39A).

As shown in FIG. 33, a pair of marking holes 103 are provided below alight-shielding barrel 37 of the body basic portion 25. Light emittingelements, which are mounted on the rear side of the printed circuitboard 42 of the flash unit 27, are opposed to these holes 103, so lightis projected from the light emitting elements onto a photo filmstrip 30b through the holes 103. As set forth in detail below, depending uponthe rotational position of the view field switching plate 128, the microswitches 129 to 131 are turned on or off, to change the number ofactivated light emitting elements. Thereby, the number of recorded marksis changed to designate the print size. The charge operation knob 15 ismounted on the front of the front cover main body 125, such that thecharge operation knob 15 can slide up and down. As being slid upward,the charge operation knob 15 pushes the metal blade 46 that is disposedon the front of the printed circuit board 42, and thus turns on a chargeswitch. The light guide 19 moves up and down in cooperation with thecharge operation knob 15.

As shown in FIG. 35, a module holding plate 41 is mounted on the frontof a shutter cover 39 of the exposure unit 26, for holding the datemodule 31. Light from the data recording opening 98, which is formedthrough the front of the front cover 28, falls on an LCD panel 50through an opening formed through the front of a module case 52. Thelight passes through date data that is displayed as transparent portionson the LCD panel 50, and then projected from an opening that is formedthrough a rear side of the module case 52. The light from the rear sideopening of the module case 52 goes into a base portion 38 throughopenings 58 a and 58 b which are formed through the module holding plate41 and the shutter cover 39 and through a data shutter opening 65 formedthrough the case portion 38.

Inside the base portion 38, behind the data shutter opening 65 ismounted a lens holder 104 that holds a projection lens 68 as a part ofthe optical data recording device. The lens holder 104 is of a circularshape, and is mounted in a rotary fashion on a holding plate 74 that ismounted inside the base portion 38, as shown in FIG. 36. A plurality ofteeth 106 are formed around the lens holder 104 so the lens holder 104functions as a gear.

A cavity 108 of a parallelepiped shape is integrally formed on one sideof the base portion 38, and a drive gear 109 is mounted in the cavity108 such that the drive gear 109 is in mesh with the teeth 106 of thelens holder 104. The drive gear 109 is formed from a transparent plasticintegrally with a light path length adjusting plate 110. The light pathlength adjusting plate 110 is for changing the optical length from theLCD panel 50 to the projection lens 68. A shaft 111 is force fitted inthe drive gear 109. The shaft 11 extends from the front side toward therear side of the unit body 100. One end of the shaft 111 is pivoted in abearing portion 108 a that is provided inside the cavity 108. An opening112 that is connected to the base portion 38 is formed through thecavity 108, so the drive gear 109 is engaged with the teeth 106 of thelens holder 104 through this opening 112. According to thisconfiguration, the lens holder 104 is turned by rotational movement ofthe shaft 111.

On the other end of the shaft 111 is fitted the transmission gear 134that is included in the three gears 132 to 134. The transmission gear134 is coupled to the pinion gear 132 through the interconnection gear133. The pinion gear 132 is in mesh with a rack gear 145 that if formedinside an arced slit 144 that is formed around the opening 136 of theview field switching plate 128. According to this configuration,rotational movement of the view field switching plate 128 causes thepinion gear 132 to rotate through the engagement with the rack gear 145,so the interconnection gear 133 and the transmission gear 134 rotate.Since the shaft 111 is force-fitted in the transmission gear 134, therotational movement of the view field switching plate 128 is transmittedto the drive gear 109 through the shaft 111.

Referring to FIGS. 37B, 38B and 39B showing engagement between the lensholder 104 and the drive gear 109, the projection lens 68 is held in thelens holder 104 with its optical axis 68 a displaced from a rotarycenter 104 a of the lens holder 104, so the position of the projectionlens 68 relative to the LCD panel 50 of the date module 31 changes withrotation of the lens holder 104. By adjusting gear numbers and others ofthe gears 132 to 134, 109 and the 104, the position of the projectionlens 68 relative to the LCD panel 50 changes as the view field switchingplate 128 is turned to the respective switching positions, such that therecording position of the date data in a picture frame 80 on the photofilmstrip 30 b is shifted to one of those positions CD, HD and PD whichare suitable for the print sizes of C, H and P respectively.

At that time, since a film supporting surface 29 c and an aperture 36 ofthe unit body 100 are curved along an advancing direction of the photofilmstrip 30 b, as shown in FIG. 36, the distance between the projectionlens 68 and the date recording position CD for the C size is longer thanthe distance from the projection lens 68 to the date recording positionsHD and PD for the H size and the P size, as shown by phantom lines inFIG. 36. Accordingly, if a focal point of the projection lens 68 isadjusted to one of these distances, the other position would be out offocus. To solve this problem, the focal point of the projection lens 68is adjusted to the date recording positions HD and PD for the H and Psizes, and when the view field switching plate 128 is switched to the Csize view field, the light path length adjusting plate 110, which isformed integrally with the drive gear 109, is inserted in between thedata shutter opening 65 and the projection lens 68, as shown by phantomlines in FIG. 36. This position is shown in detail in FIGS. 39B and 41.In this way, when the C size is selected, the image surface of the datedata on the LCD panel 50 is adjusted to the date data recording positionCD for the C size within the picture frame 80 on the photo filmstrip 30b.

To form the image surface of the LCD panel 50 parallel with the curvedfilm surface, it is preferable to incline the LCD panel 50 to aperpendicular plane to the optical axis 68 a of the projection lens 68.It is also possible to incline the optical axis 68 a of the projectionlens 68 to the optical axis 11 a of the taking lens 11 a. Where theoptical axis 68 a of the projection lens 68 is inclined, the rotary axis104 a of the lens holder 104 is set parallel to the optical axis 68 a.

An opening 125 b is formed through the front of the front cover mainbody 125 in opposition to the data recording opening 98 of the frontpanel 126, to conduct ambient light to the LCD panel 50, for use as alight source for the data recording. Where the view field switchingplate 128 is in the H size position or the P size position, the slit 144is opposed to the openings 98 and 125 a, so the light is conducted withno problem. On the other hand, where the view field switching plate 128is turned to the C size position, as shown in FIG. 39A, a cutout 147formed in connection to the H size finder frame 141 is placed in betweenthese openings 98 and 125 a, so the view field switching plate 128 wouldnot block the light path.

The micro switch 129 of the mark recording circuit is located in theslit 144, and the slit 144 has projections 150, 151 and 152 formed onits one inner side wall, for actuating the micro switch 129. The microswitch 129 is connected in parallel to the charge switch that is turnedon by the charge operation knob 15. The micro switch 129 is used forstarting charging the flash circuit, like the charge switch. The markrecording circuit is designed to activate the light emitting element byelectricity from a main capacitor 43 of the flash circuit. Therefore,the main capacitor 43 must be fully charged at the photography, topermit recording the marks. However, since the flash is often unused atthe outdoor photography or the like, the main capacitor 43 is not alwayscharged fully at the photography. At that case, the marks would not berecorded and thus the print size could not be designated. For thisreason, the projections 150 to 152 are provided for pressing the microswitch 129 to turn it on to charge the main capacitor 43 when the viewfield switching plate 128 is turned to switch the view field.

The micro switch 129 and the projections 150 to 152 are used for holdingthe view field switching plate 128 at each switching position. Forexample, where the view field switching plate 128 is in the P sizeposition as shown in FIG. 37A, the micro switch 129 is in contact withthe projection 150 to hold the view field switching plate 128 at the Psize position. In the same way, where the view field switching plate 128is in the H size position as shown in FIG. 38A, the micro switch 129 isengaged with the projection 151 of a fork shape, so the view fieldswitching plate 128 is held in this position. Furthermore, where theview field switching plate 128 is in the C size position as shown inFIG. 39A, the micro switch 129 is in contact with the projection 152 tohold the view field switching plate 128.

The micro switches 130 and 131 placed below the view field switchingplate 128 are respectively for turning a pair of light emitting elementson and off for the mark recording, and are connected to the markrecording circuit. Cam portions 154 and 155 for actuating the microswitches 130 and 131 are provided on a periphery of the view fieldswitching plate 128. For example, where the view field switching plate128 is in the P size position as shown in FIG. 37A, the micro switches130 and 131 are both turned on, so the two light emitting elements emitlight to record two marks on the photo filmstrip 30 b. Where the viewfield switching plate 128 is in the H size position as shown in FIG.38A, the micro switches 130 and 131 are both turned off, so neither ofthe two light emitting elements emit light, and any mark is not recordedon the photo filmstrip 30 b. Furthermore, where the view field switchingplate 128 is in the C size position, only the micro switch 131 is turnedon, so one light emitting element emits light to record one mark on thephoto filmstrip 30 b.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. The userslides the finder switching knob 97 in accordance with the print size tophotograph. Though they are not shown, three indexes (H size, P size andC size) are provided as counterparts of the finder switching knob 97,outside the slit 99, so the finder switching knob 97 is mated with oneof these indexes.

As the view field switching plate 128 turns, the projection 150, 151 or152 provided in the slit 144 of the view field switching plate 128presses the micro switch 129 to turn it on. Thereby the main capacitor43 of the flash unit 27 is charged. For example when the finderswitching knob 97 is switched to the P size position, as shown in FIG.37A, the P size finder frame 140 is inserted in between the finderobjective window 13 and the finder optical system 12, so the view fieldof the finder comes to be the P size. The micro switch 129 comes intocontact with the projection 150 of the view field switching plate 128,thereby holding the view field switching plate 128 at the P sizeposition.

As the view field switching plate 128 turns, the pinion gear 132 alsorotates, because the pinion gear 132 is in mesh with the rack gear 145provided on the view field switching plate 128. The rotation of thepinion gear 132 is transmitted through the interconnection gear 133 andthe transmission gear 134 to the shaft 111 that is shown in FIGS. 34 and35. As the shaft 111 rotates, the drive gear 109 fixed on one end of theshaft 111 also rotates, so the lens holder 104 rotates because the teeth106 on its periphery are in mesh with the drive gear 109.

Since the projection lens 68 is mounted in the lens holder 104 with itsoptical axis 68 a displaced from the rotary center 104 a of the lensholder 104, the position of the projection lens 68 relative to the LCDpanel 50 changes as the lens holder 104 turns. For example when the viewfield switching plate 128 is placed at the P size position, theprojection lens 68 is placed at the P size position as shown in FIG.37B.

To photograph without flash, the shutter button 17 is just pressed afterframing through the finder. Then, a shutter release mechanism of theexposure unit 26 is activated to swing a shutter blade 47 for opening aphotographic shutter opening 62. Thereby the photo filmstrip 30 b isexposed to a subject light through the taking lens 11, and the pictureframe 80 is photographed in the H size.

A data shutter portion 66 formed integrally with the shutter blade 47also swings to open the data shutter opening 65. Thereby light enteringthrough the data recording opening 98 of the front cover 28 illuminatesthe LCD panel 50 of the date module 31, so the date data displayed onthe LCD panel 50 is projected through the projection lens 68 onto thephoto filmstrip 30 b. Where the projection lens 68 is set at the P sizeposition by the rotation of the lens holder 104, the date data displayedon the LCD panel 50 is recorded on the date recording position PD in theP size frame area of the picture frame 80.

Because the cam portion 154 of the view field switching plate 128 turnson both micro switches 130 and 131 when the view field switching plate128 is in the P size position, the mark recording circuit causes the twolight emitting elements to emit light simultaneously with the shutterrelease. The light from these light emitting elements is photographed onthe photo filmstrip 30 b through marking holes 103 which are providedbelow a light-shielding barrel 37 of the body basic portion 25. Afterthe photography, the exposed portion of the photo filmstrip 30 b iswound up into a cartridge shell 30 a by rotating a winding wheel 21, soan unexposed picture frame 80 is fed to a position opposing to theaperture 36. At the same time, preparation for the photography,including shutter-charging is carried out.

Where the view field switching plate 128 is turned to the H sizeposition, as shown in FIG. 38A, the H size finder frame 141 is placedbetween the finder objective window 13 and the finder optical system 12,whereas the projection lens 68 is moved to the position as shown in FIG.38B by the rotational movement of the lens holder 104. Thus, the datedata is recorded on the date recording position HD shown in FIG. 40simultaneously with the shutter releasing.

Furthermore, where the view field switching plate 128 is turned to the Csize position, as shown in FIG. 39A, the C size finder frame 142 isplaced between the finder objective window 13 and the finder opticalsystem 12, whereas the projection lens 68 is moved to the position asshown in FIGS. 39B and 41 by the rotational movement of the lens holder104, and the light path length adjusting plate 110, which is formedintegrally with the drive gear 109, is inserted in the light path of thephotographic optical system. Thus, the date data is recorded in focuson. the date recording position CD inside the C size frame area of thepicture frame 80, as is shown in FIG. 40.

Although the light path length is changed by means of the light pathlength adjusting plate in the above embodiment, it is possible to movethe projection lens along the optical axis in cooperation with the printsize switching. In that case, it is preferable to set the imagemagnification through the projection lens at 100% or more for the Csize, and use a smaller image magnification for the H size and the Psize.

The present invention has been described with respect to the film units,the present invention is applicable to those cameras which permitswitching the print sizes. Since the film supporting surface is notcurved in the conventional cameras, there is little difference indistance from date recording positions HD, PD and CD for the respectivesizes to the projection lens 68. Therefore, the camera with the flatfilm supporting surface does not need a light path length adjustingplate, nor a configuration for inclining the image surface of the LCDpanel so as to form it along the curved film surface.

To form the image surface of the LCD panel parallel with the curved filmsurface, one of the above embodiments inclines only the LCD panel to theperpendicular plane to the optical axis of the projection lens, whilesetting the optical axis of the projection lens to be parallel to thephotographic optical axis of the taking lens. The other embodimentinclines only the optical axis of the projection lens to thephotographic optical axis of the taking lens, while setting the LCDpanel to be substantially parallel to the perpendicular plane to thephotographic optical axis. However, it is possible to incline the LCDpanel to the perpendicular plane to the photographic optical axis of thetaking lens, and also incline the optical axis of the projection lens tothe photographic optical axis of the taking lens, for the sake offorming the image surface of the LCD panel parallel with the curvedsurface of the photo filmstrip.

Although the above embodiments are designed to record the date data atan upper right position of the picture frame on the photo filmstrip, asviewed from the front of the film unit, the date data may be recorded atany location in the picture frame, such as lower right, upper left, orlower left of the picture frame, by relocating the projection lens andthe LCD panel. Although the data shutter member is formed integrallywith the shutter blade, it is possible to provide them separately, andactuate the data shutter member to open and close in cooperation withthe shutter blade opening and closing.

In the above embodiment, a transparent type LCD panel is used as thedisplay panel, and is illuminated with ambient light to emit the datelight. In alternative, it is possible to direct a fragment of flashlight into a light guide and conduct it to the LCD panel forilluminating the LCD panel. It is also possible to provide the datemodule with a light that emits at each photography to illuminate the LCDpanel. The display panel may be an electronic display device that emitslight by itself, like that consists of a plurality of portions, eachportion having a plurality of LEDs arranged in a shape of “8”. Wheresuch an illumination lamp or an electronic display device is adopted, aspecial shutter member for controlling exposure amount for the datarecording may be omitted if only the lamp or the electronic displaydevice is turned on in synchronism with the shutter blade movement.However, in some cases, e.g., if the response of the illumination lampor the electronic display device is slow, it is preferable to activatethe lamp or the display device to emit light immediately before theshutter member begins to open the data shutter opening, e.g., at thetiming when the shutter button is pressed halfway, and thereafter causethe shutter member to open the data shutter opening at the timing whenthe shutter button is fully pressed. Thereby the data would be recordedon the photo filmstrip without fail with less power consumption.

Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the aboveembodiments, but various modifications will be possible withoutdeparting from the scope of claim.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION FIELD

Although the above description relates to the film units, the presentinvention is not limited to the film unit, but is applicable to cameras.The present invention is also applicable not only to those cases where aphotographic date is the optically recorded data, but also to thosecases where different kinds of characters, codes and the like areoptically recorded.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical data recording device for opticallyrecording data as displayed on a display panel through a non-reflectiveprojection lens in a photographic frame on a photo filmstrip, in whichan image of a subject is photographed through a taking lens, thephotographic frame of the photo filmstrip being held in a curved posturein order to compensate for a curvature of field of the taking lens, theoptical data recording device being characterized in that the displaypanel and the projection lens are located on the side of the taking lensrelative to the photo filmstrip, and that a center of the display panelis displaced from an optical axis of the projection lens in a directionaway from an optical axis of the taking lens, such that the data on thedisplay panel is projected onto the photo filmstrip, to be recorded at aposition that is shifted from the projection lens optical axis towardthe taking lens optical axis.
 2. An optical data recording device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a data shutter member is provide forcontrolling exposure amount for recording the data of the display panel,the data shutter member being rotated together with a shutter blade thatcontrols exposure amount through the taking lens.
 3. An optical datarecording device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a rotational track ofthe data shutter member is placed outside a circle whose radius isidentical to a distance from the rotary center to a farthest edge of ashutter opening for the taking lens.
 4. An optical data recording deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein a transparent type LCD panel is used asthe display panel.
 5. An optical data recording device as claimed inclaim 4, wherein a light converging panel for converging ambient lightis provided as a light source for illuminating the LCD panel.
 6. Anoptical data recording device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stop isplaced between the display panel and the projection lens, and theoptical data recording device satisfies the following conditions:1>d/f≧0.3 |R 1|>|R 2|×3 wherein f represents the focal length of theprojection lens, d represents a distance from the stop to an image sidesurface of the projection lens, R1 represents a radius of curvature of asurface of the projection lens on the side of the display panel, and R2represents a radius of curvature of the image side surface of theprojection lens.
 7. An optical data recording device as claimed in claim6, wherein an angle θ of a line that extends from a farther edge of thedisplay panel from the projection lens optical axis to a center of thestop, relative to the projection lens optical axis satisfies thefollowing condition: 0<θ<0.55 wherein the angle θ is given by anequation θ=TAN⁻¹ {(Q+L/2)/S}, assuming that S represents a distance fromthe display panel to the stop, L represents a longer side length of thedisplay panel, and Q represents an amount of displacement of the centerof the display panel from the optical axis of the projection lens.
 8. Anoptical data recording device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, assumingthat F1 represents the f-number of the taking lens, and F2 representsthe f-number of the image forming lens, the f-numbers satisfy thefollowing condition: log₂ (F 2)≦log₂ (F 1)
 9. An optical data recordingdevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display panel is inclined to aperpendicular plane to the projection lens optical axis such that animage surface of the display panel formed through the projection lens onthe photo filmstrip extends parallel with the curved surface of thephoto filmstrip.
 10. An optical data recording device as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the photographic frame of the photo filmstrip is curvedalong a lengthwise direction of the photo filmstrip with its concavesurface oriented to the taking lens, and the projection lens opticalaxis is arranged parallel to the taking lens optical axis, whereas thedisplay panel is inclined to close to the photo filmstrip as it removesfrom the taking lens optical axis.
 11. An optical data recording deviceas claimed in claim 9, wherein the photographic frame of the photofilmstrip is curved along a lengthwise direction of the photo filmstripwith its concave surface oriented to the taking lens, and the projectionlens optical axis is inclined to the taking lens optical axis such thatif the optical axis is projected vertically onto a plane that includesthe taking lens optical axis and is parallel to the lengthwisedirection, the projected optical axis of the projection lens would crossthe taking lens optical axis on an object side.
 12. An optical datarecording device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a stop is placedbetween the display panel and the projection lens, and a center of thestop is displaced from the projection lens optical axis in a directionaway from the taking lens optical axis.
 13. An optical data recordingdevice as claimed in claim 12, wherein the display panel is arrangedsubstantially parallel to a perpendicular plane to the taking lensoptical axis.
 14. An optical data recording device mounted in a camerathat holds a photo filmstrip to be curved with its concave surfaceoriented to a taking lens, so as to compensate for a curvature of fieldof the taking lens, the optical data recording device recording data asdisplayed on a display panel optically through a projection lens in aphotographic frame in which a subject image is photographed through thetaking lens, characterized in that an optical axis of the projectionlens is inclined to an optical axis of the taking lens such that if theprojection lens optical axis is projected vertically onto a plane thatincludes the taking lens optical axis and is parallel to a particulardirection, the projected optical axis of the projection lens would crossthe taking lens optical axis on an object side, and that the displaypanel, a stop and the projection lens are arranged on the side of thetaking lens relative to the photo filmstrip in this order from theobject side, and the display panel is inclined to a perpendicular planeto the optical axis of the projection lens, such that an image surfaceof the display panel formed through the projection lens on the photofilmstrip extends parallel with the curved surface of the photofilmstrip.
 15. An optical data recording device as claimed in claim 14,wherein a section of the photographic frame of the photo filmstrip takenalong the particular direction forms a circular arc with a constantradius of curvature, whose center of curvature is on the side of thetaking lens, and the optical data recording device satisfies thefollowing condition: Rc×1.5<La<Rc×4 wherein La represents a length fromthe cross point of the taking lens optical axis with the projection lensoptical axis as projected on the plane to a cross point of the takinglens optical axis with the photo filmstrip, and Rc represents the radiusof curvature of the film surface.
 16. An optical data recording deviceas claimed in claim 14, wherein a section of the photographic frame ofthe photo filmstrip taken along the particular direction is curved withirregular radiuses of curvature, and the optical data recording devicesatisfies the following condition: Rc′×1.5<La<Rc′×4 wherein Larepresents a length from the cross point of the taking lens optical axiswith the projection lens optical axis as projected on the plane to across point of the taking lens optical axis with the photo filmstrip,and Rc′ represents a pseudo radius of curvature of the photo filmstripthat is derived from positions where the taking lens optical axis andthe projection lens optical axis come across the photo filmstriprespectively.
 17. An optical data recording device as claimed in claim14, wherein the display panel is arranged substantially parallel to aperpendicular plane to the taking lens optical axis.
 18. An optical datarecording device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the particulardirection is a lengthwise direction of the photo filmstrip.
 19. Anoptical data recording device for recording data as displayed on adisplay panel optically through a projection lens on a photo filmstripin a photographic frame in which a subject image is photographed througha taking lens, the data recording device comprising: a device forholding the projection lens such that the projection lens may rotateabout a rotary center that is a parallel line to an optical axis of theprojection lens, while keeping a center of the display panel away fromthe projection lens optical axis in a direction to remove the displaypanel away from an optical axis of the taking lens; and a device forcausing the holding device to rotate to make a parallel displacement ofthe projection lens optical axis, thereby to shift an image projectingposition of the data of the display panel on the photo filmstrip, whilesetting the image projecting position off the projection lens opticalaxis toward the taking lens optical axis.
 20. An optical data recordingdevice as claimed in claim 19, wherein the photographic frame of thephoto filmstrip is held to be curved with its concave surface orientedto the taking lens, thereby to compensate for a curvature of field ofthe taking lens, and wherein the optical data recording device furthercomprises a light path length adjusting plate that is inserted intobetween the display panel and the projection lens in cooperation withthe projection lens being rotated, to adjust a position of an imagesurface of the display panel formed through the projection lens in adirection of the optical axis.
 21. An optical data recording device asclaimed in claim 20, wherein the display panel is inclined to aperpendicular plane to the projection lens optical axis, to form theimage surface of the display panel through the projection lens on thephoto filmstrip along a curved surface thereof.
 22. A camera with aprint size switching operation mechanism that allows to designate aprint size at photography for obtaining at least two kinds of photoprints of different sizes, the camera comprising: a display panel fordisplaying data; a projection lens for projecting the data as displayedon the display panel onto a photo filmstrip to record the data opticallyin a photographic frame in which a subject image is photographed througha taking lens; a device for holding the projection lens such that theprojection lens may rotate about a rotary center that is a parallel lineto an optical axis of the projection lens, while keeping a center of thedisplay panel away from the projection lens optical axis in a directionto remove the display panel away from an optical axis of the takinglens; and a device for causing the holding device to rotate to make aparallel displacement of the projection lens optical axis in cooperationwith the print size switching operation mechanism, thereby to shift animage projecting position of the data of the display panel on the photofilmstrip to a location corresponding to the designated print size,while setting the image projecting position off the projection lensoptical axis toward the taking lens optical axis.
 23. A camera asclaimed in claim 22, wherein the photographic frame of the photofilmstrip is held to be curved with its concave surface oriented to thetaking lens, thereby to compensate for a curvature of field of thetaking lens, and wherein the camera further comprises a light pathlength adjusting plate that is inserted into between the display paneland the projection lens in cooperation with the projection lens beingrotated, to adjust a position of an image surface of the display panelformed through the projection lens in a direction of the optical axis.24. A camera as claimed in claim 23, wherein the display panel isinclined to a perpendicular plane to the projection lens optical axis,to form the image surface of the display panel through the projectionlens on the photo filmstrip along a curved surface thereof.
 25. Anoptical data recording device as claimed in claim 24, wherein thephotographic frame of the photo filmstrip is held to be curved along afilm lengthwise direction with its concave surface oriented to thetaking lens, and the projection lens optical axis is inclined to anoptical axis of the taking lens such that if the projection lens opticalaxis is projected vertically onto a plane that includes the taking lensoptical axis and is parallel to the film lengthwise direction, theprojection lens optical axis would cross the taking lens optical axis onan object side.